Ducks and Mental Health (yours, not theirs!)

[thumper650]

Hi everyone!
This part of a post in another thread got me thinking, it's by Gilberta's mom, @Kkrista123 :

I never knew growing up that my young adulthood would be so important to me from the animals I have by my side. I already resent the day everything changes. I hope you guys can experience just a fraction of the magic they leave me with. I couldn't explain it and I couldn't replace it.

This got me thinking about what my ducks do for me. I'm older than young adulthood (42) , and I've battled depression for about a decade now, I went to therapy for a few years, but I'm still feel sharp ups and downs.

I got my ducks about a year and a half ago, after moving to a place where I could have pets. I love them so much! No matter how crappy I feel, I still take great care of them. I hate Winter, but love being outside and I find myself outside more, not only for their upkeep and feeding, but to just sit with them. My boys in the back yard are always doing something fun. This morning I laughed out loud as Bill, my black runner ran around in circles flapping is wings around the pekins. The pekins hate it , but it's fun to watch!

Another side effect is that I have gotten to know my neighbors, fortunately they love them. Neighbors walking by will ask me if they can come see my ducks up close, I give out eggs on occasion and it's fun to let kids pet my Fawn and White runner, Brendan. I call him the ducky ambassador!

So what have your ducks (or any pets) done for you? I guess in some ways, they give back to us more than I really thought.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

About three years ago when I was 13 I had really bad depression and considered suicide for a hot minute there. But one day my parents brought home some chicks from tractor supply and I fell in love. My parents are very hands off when raising animals and I am the exact opposite. Id take them outside everyday dig up worms for them read to them basically I treated them like they were my children. They got me out of the house and got me to stop focusing on the bad. We had to get rid of our chickens last year due to predators but this spring I got some ducks. I love them with all my heart. I play with them outside find bugs for them and occasionally much to my parents dismay will give them some of the vegetables from the garden. These birds saved my life. They saved me from myself. People will say how dumb chickens are or how dumb birds are but my chickens would come when I call them by name. My ducks will line up in a row by the back door whenever they get hungry. And most importantly these birds know when Im not feeling good. Whenever im feeling depressed and go outside they'll get much closer than usual and follow me around the yard just quacking to me as if they were talking. My parakeets do a similar thing where they'll chirp softly and soothingly whenever I cry or whenever I get a headache. These birds will hold a very special place in my heart and I am eternally grateful for the second chance they've given.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sweet and honest story @FathertoFeathers you'd probably be surprised how many of us have been through the same as you and how much our birds have helped us. They are wonderful therapy. And as you say a wonderful way to focus on something other than ourselves. Oh gosh @thumper650 I didn’t even see your post my phone is whacky any way thank you for sharing your story! these ducks and geese and chickens for me give off so much positive it’s really hard to be negative when with them

 

[Duck_life]

My ducks have helped me no doubt. the pains humans go through is awful, but the love ducks give is unbreakable.

 

[thumper650]

Thanks for sharing that story @FathertoFeathers !
I wish I had the insight you do when I was your age. You are a bright, articulate young man.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducks have helped me no doubt. the pains humans go through is awful, but the love ducks give is unbreakable.

Sure is!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for sharing that story @FathertoFeathers !
I wish I had the insight you do when I was your age. You are a bright, articulate young man.

Boy that is sure the truth!

 

[LilyLoo]

Ditto on all above..I love my birds. They have made life so much richer than ever expected. As a small child just before age 3, I was attacked by a rooster and spent my life terrified of birds. I fell in love with my neighbors ducks as they would escape and come visit my flower gardens. Although their sweet stories ended tragically and broke my heart. I learned I could get my own. My research brought me to all of you here at BYC and that dang TSC blessed me with 2 bossy little khaki campbells. These 2 are so fun and comical they have definitely made life better...

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[chickens really]

For me all my pets enrich my life in one way or another. I have Horses, Dogs, Bantam chickens, Call Ducks and Dwarf Goats. Plus one Manx Cat too.
Animals never lie or treat you badly because they always are 100% honest in their actions. Unconditional love and friendship is what you get.